Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-07-12
AHIRrEEBsrIN8 LAVsUIr.
The Heirs OF PhiiAn thropist Seek to Eject III,
Survivors Of . Sect.

The Heirs OF . iiAnthropist Seek to Eject the
Survivors Of . Sect.
Chambersburg Dispatch to the Press.
Legal action has just been begun which
promises to lead to peculiarly interesting
controversy between the survivors of q re-
ligious sect and the heirs Of philanthro.
pist.
In ls23 Andrew Snowberger, of Washing
ton township, q wealthy member OF the Snow
Hill Society Of the Seventh Day Bsptists,
decided q farm OF los acres OF land to certain
persons named as trustees for the use OF wha!
WAS termed the "monsstical branch" OF the
society. At that time the Snow Hill Society
OF the Seventh Day Baptists was in two
branches or divisions. Tne first was COM
posed of those who lived q secular lite but
who conformed to all the tene:s of the church.
The other was an exclusive order composed
of certain few who had taken upon them
selves . vow OF celibscy and who lived to-
gether in one establishment These latter
were termed the "Monsstical Branch" or
"Monsstical Establishment"
The property decided by Mr.. Snowb berger
was apparently intended for the use and sup
port OF these persons, and has been so used
by them and their successors nearly up to
the present time. 1t is commonly known a.
the "Nunnery," and is located about tn rec
miles from WaynesbOIo. Lately, however,
the " monastical branch "Of the society has
become almost extinct There is, perhaps,
only one real member OF the branch now
living, and that il Elizabeth Ritter, who still
has home on the property. The trustees Of
the secular branch OF the society have erected
church on the property, which is used by
the Seventh Day Bsptists The farm decided
by Andrew Snowberger has been leased to q
tenant and its proceeds applied to the use OF
the church.
On Saturday last Hon. David Willis, OF
Gettysburg, and I. NJ. Mahop, esq OF
Chambersburg, representing about fifty heirs
OF Andrew Snow berger, caused to to is.
sued out f the court OF common
pleas, OF Franklin county, a writ OF eject.
ment against Paul Ritter, Obed Snow.
berger and Elizabeth Ritter, the pres.
ent tenants Of the property. These heirs,
who are scattered all over the United States,
claim that the property WAS deeded by Mrs.
Snowberger for the use OF the monasticsl
branch OF the society alone. That the pecu.
liar organization to be benefited by 1t is now
extinct; that the branch OF the church now
enjoying the property Is not the one in.
tended by the trust and that, tho pur.
poses OF the trust having lapsed, the
property now reverts to them a.
heirs-at-law OF Andrew SNOW berger under
the intestate laws of Pennsylvania Ia their
declaration they will not lay claim to the
church building and appurtsnsnces now
used 10y the Seventh Day Baptist convrevs.
ton, but Will hsk that this building and 80
much land AZ 10 necessary for the proper en-.
joyment OF it be decreed to the present secu.
lar branch, and that the remsindsr, covered
by the original deed, decresd to be the prop.
erty of the heirs OF Andrew SnowberRsr.
The falm has mill property erected on il
with valuable water privileges, the whole
being worth $4,000. II the present suit ID
resisted by those in possession, the trial ol
the case will To very interesting.